Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
Oliver says a little strained, before they all take off. Sam looks amused, Mateo angry and Oliver, Cam and Kota are, I don’t know, uncomfortable and blushing maybe. Weird. Wiat the hell was that all about? I ask watching the guys leave the large training grounds like they couldn’t move fast enough. You’re kidding right?’ Sierra asks, hands on her hips. I just stare blankly at her. Even for them, that was weird, but she is looking at me eyebrows raised, like I missed a punchline. ” They all just realized you’re a girl, a hot girl, that’s what.”
Wiat does that even mean? When have I ever not ‘been a girl?” Sarcasm dripping in my words. “l have my suspicions, but let’s just wait until we shop this weekend. You know they are all going to come to ‘give opinions’ since you don’t normally dress up and your brother is probably going to try and smack at least one of them for making inappropriately accurate comments.”
“No way, my brother would never fight any of them. They all make inappropriate comments all the time. Why would shopping make it any different?” bet?” *You sound like Oliver and Sam.”
I laugh. “But sure, I think you’re effing crazy. There is nothing different about me now versus this morning or in training gear versus a dress and they are not all going to want to dress shop with us, that would be torture. I know it will be for me. Sam is just coming to hang out with you and give me a hard time about being awkward as hell.”
n.Nell you sound like all of them with your new colorful language and if they all show up and if your brother argues with any of them you owe me lunch at a place of my choosing.”
She laughs at me flipping her still sweaty dark hair. “Deal. What is it with me and making deals with everyone?” I shake my head and laugh as we start to make our way out of the arena too. It’s just the two of us now. I’m not sure when the adults left, but it must have been before the guys took off randomly. “Another product of hanging out with very competitive and idiotic guy friends.”
She stops and looks around the parking lot. “Those jack*sses left us. Man, you really messed them up, they must be scared of you now.”
She laughs as we both start walking towards our street. I just roll my eyes. She is speaking in riddles and I normally think of myself as a pretty smart person, but I can’t figure out what in the ‘F’ she is going on about. wave her off when we finally make it back to her house 20 minutes later. The twins’ truck is in the packhouse driveway, but there is no sign of any of the guys. I keep on walking to my house and head straight for my room once I’m inside. The silence used to comfort me. It let me know I was safe and no one was around to find something to correct or criticize, but now that I have been spending so much time with such loud people, it’s almost suffocating. I can hear soft music from my brothers room, letting me know he’s home. I would love to talk to him about what Sierra was saying. He usually will give me a straight answer when I don’t understand people’s behavior, then again he left us high and dry with the rest of them, which is just as weird. But I’m afraid to knock on his door, music can mean one of two things. He’s doing homework or a girl. I really don’t want to interrupt in case it’s a girl. My brother doing the horizontal tango is not something I want to imagine, let alone get a live picture of. Those boys seem to get around and I guess I understand the appeal. They are all tall, hot and completely muscled out and I don’t even think they have hit their prime of good looks yet. They know how good looking they are, their egos are a testament to that. Combine that with the fact that they are future leaders of the pack, makes them celebrities. I keep this train of thought as I head into my room and straight to the shower. I just never understood the complete lack of self respect it takes to throw yourself at someone with status just for a little bit of attention. If you aren’t noticed without having to, sometimes literally, throw yourselves in their path, why bother? They aren’t worth the time. They have probably been with all of the Sophomore and Junior girls and are making their way through the Seniors now. Which also surprises me. Kaley doesn’t seem to make a big deal about them sleeping around with most of the upperclass female population of our school. She just has a problem with Sierra and l.
It’s kind of nasty if you think about it too much. Thank the Goddess wolves don’t get STD’s or they would be in trouble. I’m not a prude, well not really. I get the appeal of six and have even done some self exploration, but I am one hundred percent inexperienced when it comes to being with a guy. And yet, I have no desire to jump some rando strictly to say I did, that is less appealing than having zero game in the s*x department. I’m a little jealous of how easy it is for Sierra to flirt with any of the guys. She seems to only have eyes for Sam, but is playful with all of them. Just the thought of trying to flirt makes me sweat bullets. I am just that awkward, so I figure I will wait for my mate who will love my crazy, inexperienced awkwardness no matter what. On that note I step out of the shower and wrap up in a towel. As I brush out my sandy blonde hair I look at myself and really analyze my reflection for the first time.
I don’t think I am ugly by any means, I just don’t think I am anything special either. My hair is mostly straight with a slight wave at the end and it is so long it goes past the middle of my back. I like it full and I think I would look like a baby doll if I ever cut it. My muscles are defined in my arms and legs and I know my back and abs have definition. I am putting on muscle now that I eat most of my meals with the guys and get the calories I need for all the training that I do.
I wear sports bras and tank tops for training all the time, still covering the scars on my back, but being more comfortanble in my skin. My figure is still on the smaller side with no real curves to speak of, even with the muscle definition. I’m only fourteen and I don’t really know what my mom looked like. My dad only keeps one picture of her in his office and I’m not allowed in there, I saw it once when was little, but I dont remember it at all. According to everyone else who knew her, I look exactly like her, but that doesn’t help me predict what kind of woman bits I may end up with. I sigh and get dressed in some pajamas and get started on my homework. I have a feeling there will be no room for homework this weekend if Slerra has any say, so need to get ahead now.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened the rest of the week at school which is really only saying I didn’t bleed from my attackers. It’s almost like they knew what I was doing this weekend and were being courteous with their torture.
Saturday morning came and I found I couldn’t sleep so I took my very early run alone today. I decided to take a chance and let my wolf out too. We ran the full border patrol route around the pack territory.
I’m not on patrols, so I don’t have to really pay attention and can run as fast as want to so it only takes me a couple hours. usually wait until it’s dark so it’s easier to hide with her thick jet black fur. It was dark and peaceful right now, the sun still not up yet, and allowed me to wrap my brain around all the crazy was about to be subjected to.
When got home, I started breakfast and got out ingredients to make enough to feed everyone, since our house has been the new Saturday hangout before training. Even the Alpha and Luna join us sometimes too. I was worried the first time Mateo brought the guys over so early that dad would have a fit.
But I guess when it comes to my brother and the future Alphas he doesn’t really care what goes on. Dad went as far as to ask Mateo what needed to be on the grocery list specifically for the Saturday morning breakfasts the third time it happened.
That conversation got tense really fast when Mateo said he didn’t know and to ask me which earned me a disapproving look and the reply. “I’ll have Gretchen follow up with you kids and make sure the kitchen is stocked.”
Before he abruptly walked out of the kitchen.
His avoidance of me shouldn’t hurt, it’s been like this my whole life. He only talks to me when he absolutely has to in front of other high ranking wolves for appearance. But, every time he outwardly and blatantly rejected me I felt that familiar jab in my heart and all of my insecurities would haunt me for days after. I became more obsessed with training and school work, avoiding people, including Sierra and my brother after that interaction shortly after the christmas holiday. Something they both noticed and questioned and I expertly avoided talking about. My room and anything I used in the house had to be spotless and metlculously put away. The sad part is am fully aware of what I’m doing and why, but I can’t help myself and I can’t go to anyone for help. How would that make my dad look in the eyes of his peers? The peers he’s been putting on a show for my whole existence. Ruining his reputation would make the emotional hell I have been going through completely worthless and I don’t need to feel anymore like an unwanted problem. And as much as I should be mad at him or hate him, I just can’t bring myself to make him look bad, hoping one day he will wake up and notice all the hard work and effort I put in to please him, to make him happy, proud of me. As long as there is that scrap of a chance, I will hold onto that hope. It took several days for Sierra to pull me, mostly, out of the obsessive behavior. Really, I think I just got better at hiding it from her. I shake my head out of the dark memories and keep working on the breakfast spread. I really do like having Sierra and all the guys here. I find I enjoy caring for the group as a whole. They make me laugh and forget about all the things I normally focus on everyday. I actually feel like a teenager during this time and I find I have relaxed into the friendships the longer I am around all of them. My dad’s demands don’t exist, Kaley and her bully patrol doesn’t exist, schoolwork doesn’t exist. It’s almost magical. The front door slams, I jump and I look at the time. It’s not quite Sam and I’m not even halfway into prepping all the food. What the hell is going on? The commotion in the hallway tells me it’s at least a few of the guys. Their sounds are pretty distinct. I start to walk out to tell them to be quiet, I haven’t even gotten Mateo up yet and my dad will actually be pissed at the ruckus this early. I slowly walk down the hallway and into the entrp.’ay. “Guys? What ar-” “SURPRISE!” A whole group of people shout at me. “Oh I yelled and then clapped my hand over my mouth as I’m trying not to fall on my butt in front of everyone. Sierra ran up to me first, catching me in a hug. “A little birdie told me It was your birthday today and we thought we would surprise you. We brought breakfast, I hope you haven’t already started cooking.”
She steps back and takes in my running clothes. I don’t usually shower or change since we go and workout with the pups, which leaves us disgusting. “Um, uh, I just started getting things together.”
I am super confused and disoriented. We don’t celebrate my birthday, never have. It’s the day my mom died, the day I killed her, and that is the only part my dad remembers about today. Mateo used to make me cards when we were little. He would never sign them or say anything about it, but I knew it was him. Once we hit about eleven though and he started focusing on his position, those stopped. “Um, come on in, we can set it up on the island.”
I led the group down the hall and stood off to the side watching the parade come into the kitchen. Mateo comes strolling in with the rest of the guys. He was a part of this? Did he tell them? I can feel my heart tighten at the thought. Then all the adults come through. Alpha Lucas and Luna Ava have 2 large platters of fruit and pastries, Cam and Dakota are each carrying a tray of food. Gamma Brett follows Oliver in with a very large pan that is steaming. Delta Kyle and Gwen come in ahead of Sam and they are all carrying balloons and a vase of flowers. Sierra’s Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Robert bring up the rear with another steaming pan.
All my friends were carrying gift bags too. I was so overwhelmed, but I couldn’t help myself and look at Mateo. He knew my question without me having to ask. He just shook his head once, almost imperceptibly. I couldn’t help the wave of sadness that rolled over me and I felt my heart breaz I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was not going to let his absence detract from this amazing thing my friends and their families did for me. They can’t have any idea what this means to me. The first birthday I will celebrate outside of my bedroom and with other people is my 15th birthday. Even my nanny wasn’t allowed to celebrate my birthday. She always said ‘happy birthday’ to me, but we couldnt do more than that. She tried once to bring me a cupcake and my father punched her in front of me, then kept her away from me for a week This will be one of the most special memories I have. But, cannot cry, I won’t cry. I take another deep breath. Not happy tears, not sad tears. Today is going to be an amazing day, even if it has to include dress shopping. come out of my daze and walk around to hug and thank everyone. Luna Ava hugs me longer than necessary, telling me she probably has a pretty good idea what this actually means to me. Like always she lets me have my silent moment and then moves on like it was nothing, not drawing attention where I don’t want it. She has always just understood me without explanation. A’Vhat about training?!” I suddenly ask, looking at Delta Kyle and noticing the time. Panic washed through me at the thought of the pups running a muck by themselves. canceled it today and told the pups you were not allowed to workout with anyone today on pain of having to play capture the flag against you solo, after completing your entire, personal, daily workout. I can guarantee none of them are going to even look in your direction today.”
Delta Kyle laughs along with everyone else. I don’t know if I should be offended or smug.
“l guess it’s good I already went for my run today then, jeez.”
They all just laugh again. Luna Ava helps me get dishes out and stack them on the island and we all dig in. The food is amazing. Along with all of the fruit and pastries, the hot dishes had eggs, sausages, and fried potatoes. We go through most of it, these boys can put down some food. Sierra and I eat almost as much as the guys do, and Delta Kyle is quick to mention it. “l like that you girls eat a healthy amount I am always worried about some of the girls who don’t eat enough, getting hurt at training. They are worried about gaining weight, but it’s really hard to do even if they train the bare minimum.”
That launched a whole load of conversations about girls and eating and picky eaters. This then launched a competition of the worst dinner dates. These boys spent far too much time on high maintenance girls from the sounds of it, but who am I to judge. Until I met Sierra I did the exact opposite and avoided people like it was my job. I’m standing at the center of the Island. Cam, Kota and Mateo to my left. Oliver, Sierra and Sam to my right and their respective adults across from them. It was kind of a neat image, previous and future generation of leaders all at the table. The Beta is the only person missing. It makes me sad for a moment, not for myself, but for Mateo. Because of me, my dad refuses to share this moment with him. “Okay you have to open your presents.”
Sierra sings at me from the end of the island. ‘%at? Now? I thought I would just open them later. We are all having fun just hanging out and I really need to go shower, I probably smell.”
“You smell fine to me.”
Chorused from all of the boys, except my brother who looked at his friends with his eyebrows smashed together and letting out a little growl Wiat?” asked Oliver, looking around. “She smells fine, like the forest.”
He shrugs. ‘l assume that’s where she was running this morning.”
Yeah, Tiny, you smell good, just open your presents.”
Cam smiles at me.
The look that Luna Ava gave Alpha Lucas did not go unnoticed by me. What is going on?
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.